Image provided by: Hood River County Library District; Hood River, OR
About The Maupin times. (Maupin, Or.) 1914-1930 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1916)
WORLD'S DOINGS OF CURRENT WEEK Brief Resume of General News From All Around the Earth. UNIVERSAL HAPPENINGS IN A NUTSHQ1 Live News Items of All Nations and Pacific Northwest Condensed for Our Busy Readers. Columbus, Ohio, residents are fleeing the lowlands because of the high water in the Scioto. The rainfall at Portland for March reached 10.91 inches, 1.85 inches less than March, 1873, the highest figure on record. Villa is fleeing southward hoping to reach the Sierras, where, it is claimed, it will take many months to capture him. Failure of senate Republicans to take any action at a conference on the Mexican situation leaves the adminis tration unhampered in dealing with the problem. The senate bill designed to increase the number of cadets at West Point was ordered favorably reported by the house military committee, with a few minor changes. s Turkey has informed the United States it was not a submarine of the Ottoman government which sank the liner Persia in the Mediterranean last winter with loss of American life. The British infantry storms and take the first and second line German trenches along a front of 600 yards at St. Eloi. The British official com munication gives this information. R. C. Stoddard, of Vancouver, B. C, and two other passengers were seri ously injured when the . Wolverine Flyer, on the Michigan Central rail way, jumped the track near Kalama zoo, Mich. The British steamer Manchester En gineer, from Philadelphia March 11 for Manchester, has been sunk, accord ing to information received by Lloyds. The members of the crew were taken aboard a tug. Miss Catherine Prehm, editor and publisher of the Merrill, Ore., Record, was arrested in Klamath Falls on a charge of disturbing the peace by at tempting to horsewhip George Brad nack, editor and publisher of the Mer rill Times. Twelve men at Kelly's Butte, a workhouse for Portland prisoners, es caped by sawing the bars of a cell. The exit was only 7 inches square, therefore a large number of heavy weight prisoners were detained. The break was not discovered until day light The most sensational of the Mann act canes in Chicago since the passage of that law, involving William Rufus Edwards, a wealthy St. Paul lumber man, as defendant and Miss Ada Cox as complaining witness, was begun be fore United States District Judge An derson. The literacy test, barring, with a few exceptions, all aliens over 16 years old, physically capable of reading, who cannot read the English language or some other language or dialect, was approved by the house working as the committee of the whole, by a vote of 226 to 82. This presaged the passage of the bill by an overwhelming major ity despite the record of Presidential vetoes of several similar measures on account of the literacy test. Villa is reported to have held up a train and searched it lor Americans, but found none. One of the American columns pene trated 50 miles into Mexico before it was discovered by the natives. Congress avoids any unnecessary discussion of the Mexican question, but is ready to authorize war measures at a moment s notice. A dispatch to the Balkan agency from Bucharest says the chief clerk of the American legation at Sofia is re ported to have been arrested by the Bulgarian authorities, accused of giv ing a present to an employe for using greater haste than ordinary in issuing passports. Men of the Hungarian landsturm born in 1868 and 1869 and also the men belonging to the classes of 1865 and 1897, who hitherto have been em ployed in making war materials, now are dismissed from this Bervice and ordered to join the army on April 6, according to a Keuter dispatch. Yuan Shi Kai renounces the throne of China and proclaims the restoration of the republic, but hii opponents say ine change is too late to save him. Instructions to recruit the 12 Na- tional Guard companies of Arizona to war strength immediately were trans- mitted to the company commanders by order or the War department. An army aviator was found by a wagon train alter being lost in the Mexican desert far 48 hours. He re paired his leaking tank, received a supply of gasoline and was soon on his way. It is believed the government will soon define clearly its attitude toward the entire submarine question. The houBe education committee voted unanimously to take no action nn rvonrl ing bills to reopen the North Pole con troversy. Dr. Frederick A. Cook re cently asked the committee to investi gate nis claims. The Hay army increase bill, urovid ing for a regular army peace strength of 140,000 fighting men instead of the present 100,000, passed the house by a vote of 40Z to Z. It goes to the sen ate for immediate consideration. SINKING OF SUSSEX 10 BE PROBED; PRESIDENT MAY ASK OPEN RUPTURE Washington, D. C President Wil son's patience has reached the point of exhaustion In connection with the destruction of passenger-carrying ves sels In the European war zone. He is gathering all the facts In relation to the sinking of the Sussex. When these are In his possession he will de cide whether to advise congress that a situation has arisen which necessi tates a rupture of diplomatic negotia tions with Germany. So far as the state department has been advised the circumstances thus far developed: First That the quartermaster of the Sussex saw the torpedo coming and sheered away in the hope of es caping. Second That the three American passengers swear they distinctly saw the wake of the torpedo. Third That a bronze fragment was found on board the Sussex which a French officer says was a part of a German torpedo. Lieutenant Smith, the American naval attache In Paris, hag been di rected to examine the fragment. If his opinion should coincide with that of the French officer President Wil son will conclude that the circumstan tial evidence is sufficient for action. The German embassy does not be lieve that a German submarine was responsible for this catastrophe. It is pointed out that there was no military advantage to be gained by the sinking of the Sussex. In case of the improb able, however, it is declared positively that the German government will dis avow the act of the submarine com mander, punish him, offer reparation and satisfy the American government that the outrage was in direct viola tion of the instructions Issued by the German admiralty. But the president is at the point where such steps are of no conse quence. The fact is that Germany gave explicit assurances that passenger ships would not be torpedoed without warning, nor sunk until passengers and crew had had an opportunity to escape. It Germany should deny that any of her submarines committed the outrage, which is regarded as extreme ly probable, the administration will have to rely upon circumstantial evi dence. Such evidence, it is pointed out, is stronger than a denial. The administration knows further that no English submarines were op erating in the channel and it scouts as impossible the suggestion that one of these vessels fired the fatal tor pedo. In the first place the British government would hardly jeopardize the lives of its own subjects as well as those of its ally. Again the British government does not UBe the bronze torpedoes employed by the Germans. Nor could Germany shift the blame to one of her allies Austro-IIungary or Bulgaria. Neither of these powers has submarines in the Atlantic. Delegates Talk Preparedness; Gag Order Comes Too Late Spokane, Wash. Shortly after the Northwest preparedness conference began here Tuesday a telegram was received from the war department at Washington instructing army officers not to take part in the conference. The telegram was received too late to af fect the appearance of Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Baker, Jr., of Vancouver Barracks, who spoke on the necessity of adequate protection for the north era Paclflo states. Preparedness questions affecting the Pacific Northwest from the viewpoint of military and naval officers featured the addresses despite the telegram from the war department. Under the circumstances pains were taken by the officers to say nothing that could be construed as having a political effect, or bearing on the measures now be fore congress. Delegates were present from Wash ington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The conference elected N. W. Durham, of Spokane, chairman; Frank W. Hammond, of Seattle, sec retary, and P. N. Bernard, of Kalispell, Mont., assistant secretary. Colonel Baker was not In uniform, and in the preamble of his address re ferred to the fact that he spoke only as a private citizen, In speaking of the Japanese question, Colonel Baker said: "I think there Is danger of trouble with Japan through the Ignorance, ar rogance and narrowness of our own people on this coast who lack knowl edge of the Japanese and therefore misunderstand and misjudge them." Paper Cost Is Serious. Washington, D. C A resolution for an investigation of the news print pa per situation by the department of Commerce was introduced in the house by Representative Copley. Much of the supply of raw material for print paper that came from Germany, was cut off by the war. Other material is being shipped from this country to Eu rope for use in the manufacture of mu nitions. According to Mr. Copley the price of paper has advanced so far that the lives of many small newspapers are threatened. Hunt Elusive Blus Tiger. San Francicso A quest for the blue tiger a beast which has been termed the "Flying Dutchman of Zoology," because many scientists and explorers have seen it, yet none ever has been caught will begin Wednesday when Roy Chapman Andrews and Mrs. An drews sail from San Francisco for the Orient on the liner Tenyo Maru. Somewhere In Central Asia or Tibet they expect to capture a specimen of their elusive quarry and to make an exhaustive study of zoology for the American Museum of Natural History. Wilhelm Honors Sultan, Berlin, (By wireless to Sayville, N. Y.) The semi-olficial Overseas News agency has received advices from Con stantinople confirming report that Field Marshal von Mackensen had reached that city on a mission, given him by Emperor William, to pre sent to the Sultan the Field Marshal's baton which the emperor had bestowed upon the Turkish ruler. The dispatch describes the Field Marshal's recep tion as most enthusiastic. BRITISH SEAPLANES BROUGHT DOWN German Aviators Defeat Three of fleet of five Raiders. LONDON ADMITS LOSS Of DESTROYER Berlin Claims No Damage Done by Bombs Crews of Fliers Made Prisoner Patrol Sunk. Berlin, by wireless to Sayville, N. Y. Not fewer than three British hy droplanes, among them a fighting aero plane, were brought down Sunday by German guns on and about the island of Sylt, during an air raid on North ern Schleswig, according to a German official communication. The crews were taken prisoner. Bombs dropped in the district of the Hoyer water gate did no damage, says the statement, which follows: "From two ships, which were ac companied by a cruiser squadron and a flotilla of destroyers, five English hydroplanes started for an attack against the German aeronautic estab lishments in Northern Schleswig. "Not fewer than three of them, among which was a fighting aeroplane, were forced down by the defensive service on and about the island of Sylt. The occupants of the machines, who were made prisoners, are four English officers and one non-commissioned offi cer. "Bombs were thrown only in the district of the Hoyer water gate. No damage was done." London Three British aeroplanes which took part in a raid on German airships in Schleswig-Holstein Sunday are misBing. A dispatch says that two German armed trawlers acting as patrols were sunk by the British outside Sylt har bor. The admirality also reports that a torpedo-boat may have been in collis ion with another of its own fleet in the venture. No fears for the crew are entertained. The following official statement was issued : "An attack by British seaplanes was delivered Sunday morning on German airship sheds in Schleswig-Holstein eastward of the island of Sylt. The seaplanes were conveyed to their ren dezvous close to the Greman coast by an escorting force of light cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Tyrwhitt. "Three of the seaplanes which took part in the attack are miBsing. The destroyer Medusa was in collision with the destroyer Lavrock and it is feared that in the stormy weather which pre vailed the Medusa may have been lost, but no misgivings are felt as to the safety of the crew. Two German armed patrol vessels we're sunk by our destroyers. "No detailed report has yet been re ceived, but from Danish press dis patches it would appear that this operation, which was carried out with in the enemy's waters, achieved' its object." Six Lose lives in Exclusive Country Club Conflagration San Antonio, Tex. Six persons lost their lives early Sunday in the burning of the fashionable San Antonio Coun try club. Five of the victims were guests at the club, which was the scene of sev eral week-end parties, bringing to gether a large number of persons prominent in social and business cir cles to the Southwest. The dead are: Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Waltham, Judge J. E. Webb, Homer Jones, San Antonio; Mrs. Maco Stew art, Galveston; Helen Cockrell, maid at the club. The fire had its origin in a collection of paint stored in the basement of the three-story frame clubhouse. It spread quickly to a Btairway leading to the first floor and rapidly communicated to the other two floors above. About 15 guests asleep in the build ing had narrow escapes, many jumping from the second story windows, so quick was the spread of flames. Fortune Goes to Worker, Seattle Harold Richard Clements, 19, who has been working in a depart ment store at a Bmall salary, has been notified by Arthur Payne, attorney, of Louisville, Ky., that he has inherited the $3,000,000 estate of his grand mother, Mrs. Mary Clements, who died there recently. Young Clements is the son of Harry Curtis Clements, formerly president of the Denver Traction com pany, who died nine years ago. When Mr. Clements died he left the bulk of his estate to his mother, only a small allowance going to his son. Water Poisons Soldiers. Douglas, Ariz. Employes of the Nacozari railroad brought a report from Cabullona Monday that several hundred Carranaz soldiers had been killed recently in the Yaqui River Val ley in Western Sonora by drinking water that had been poisoned by the Yaqui Indians. They said that Mex ican employes of the railroad had re ceived the information in letters from Hermosillo that those poisoned were men of the Fifth Brigade of the So nora troops. The detachment numbers 900 men. Villa General Is Killed. Queretaro, Mexico General Pedro Gocman and 22 others, all members of Villa's band, were killed in battle in the neighborhood of Laguna and Dina- mita Sunday. In this action between government forces and bandits 10 pris oners also were taken and summarily executed. This information came in a message to the minister of war. Gen eral Obregon, who was informed that the campaign against the Villistaa' was being waged with the utmost vigor. ENTENTE AWES CONFERENCE , IN PARIS Of GREAT IMPORT Paris The most important confer ence of the entente allies since the out break of the war begun in Paris Mon day under the presidency of Premier Briand. The premiers of Great Bri tain, Italy, Belgium and Serbia par ticipating. The British foreign secretary, Sir Edward Grey; secretary of war, Field Marshal Earl Kitchener, and comman der of the continental forces, General Sir Douglas Haigh; the French com mander in chief, General Joffre, and the Italian general, Cadorna, also have seats at the council table. Russia is represented by the foreign minister, M. Iswolsky, and General Gilensky, aide-de-camp to the emperor; Japan by the Japanese ambassador at Paris, and Serbia by Prince Alexander. Probably nothing will be disclosed concerning the questions under discus sion or the decision reached, but it is expected that the allied powers will come to an agreement concerning com mon military and political actions. Property Destroyed and Traffic Blocked by Middle West floods Chicago Blizzards, abnormally warm weather, rain and snow much colder weather, all crowded into a few days, have combined to cause much sickness and distress in Middle West ern states. Floods also are now tak ing a toll in human life and destroying property. Northern Illinois cities report many streets submerged and light and power stations out of commission. Warnings are issued in Chicago and all the Northern Illinois territory of immi nent peril of typhoid. Eastern Iowa and Southern Michigan, Northern In diana and Ohio are also facing typhoid conditions. Dispatches from Southwestern Wis consin accentuate recent reportB of flood damage. Seven have been drowned, with many districts entirely inaccessible. Almost one-eighth of the state is affected. Reports tell of one drowned in Rock county, one in Richland county and one in Grant county. Two perished when a bridge gave way. Others were drowned try ing to get through flooded streams by fording. One in Grant county died trying to lead his cattle from the stable to the hills, when they became so freightened that they trampled himto death President Wilson Warns Public Against Mexican War Rumors Washintgon, D. C President Wil son has issued a warning that "sinis ter and unscrupulous influences" are spreading alarmist reportB about the Mexican situation with the object of forcing intervention by the United States "in the interests of certain American owners of Mexican proper ties." In a formal statement the President told the people of the United States to be on their guard and not credit such stories. He urged those who dissem inate news to test the source and au thenticity of every report from the border, and called attention again to the government's announcement that the sole object of the punitive expedi tion now in Mexico was to punish Villa and his followers. IhenewB services supplying news papers had been asked, the President said, to assist in keeping this view constantly before the Mexican and American people, to the end that the expedition should take on the color of war. Steamer Hits Log; Sinks. Portland After striking a 30-foot sunken log, which tore a huge hole in her hull at the port bow, the steamer Twin Cities, of The Dalles-Columbia line, began to sink near the mouth of North Portland harbor Saturday night. She was successfully beached after a struggle Quick work on the part of the officers in charge, and the coolness of the members of the crew, prevented loss of life. The 10 passengers aboard, and the livestock which formed part of the cargo, were landed in safety before the vessel settled in the shallower water near the bank. The steamer lay partially submerged at the south bank, near the mouth of the North Portland harbor. A portion of the rail around the upper deck was awash and the water, which was rising rapidly, was expected to flood the passenger cabins. Shackleton Ship Is Safe. London Reports received here Mon day stated that the auxiliary ship Au rora, of the Shackleton Antarctic ex pedition, which was damaged in the ice, is now proceeding to New Zealand for repairs and is not in distress or in need of assistance. The latest message indicates that the Aurora is proceed ing under her own steam. A New Zealand wireless station is in commun ication with her. Sir Douglas Mawson, the Antarctic explorer, expresses the opinion that there is no cause for alarm. Army Bars Bald Heads. Chicago Baldheaded men are not wanted in the pursuit of Villa. It is warm along the border and they might become affected by the heat So an nounced Lieutenant Kenney Monday in refusing to enlist Stanley Twooney, of byracuse. Twooney sought enlistment and was rejected because of his baldness. He returned wearing a wig and was ac cepted. While he was awaiting trans portation to Jefferson Barracks the de ception was discovered and he was again rejected. Fires Worst In Oregon. ashington, D. C More than 72 per cent of all the damage done by forest fires in government forest re serves during 1915 was in Oregon, ac cording to a bulletin just issued by the Forest service. During the past year forest fires burned over 300,000 acres of forest reserve lands, and destroyed 156,000,000 feet of timber, valued at $190,000. The report says that 87 per cent of the total loss was confined to Oregon, Washington and Idaho. ALLIES DECLINE TO DISARM VESSELS Secretary Lansing's Proposal to Dismantle Guns Refused. ENTENTE POWERS POLITE BUT FIRM Alleged Disregard of Germany for Treaties Basis of Rejection Case of Belgium Is Cited. . Washington, D. C All of the en tente powers through their embassies here have handed to Secretary Lansing iormai responses rejecting the propos al made by the State department in its circular memorandum that they en ter into a modus vivendi and disarm all of their merchant ships with the understanding that the United States government would endeavor to secure from the central powers a pledge not to attack such unarmed ships without warning and without providing for the safety of the passengers and crew. boon alter tne proposition was broached, through interviews in the press and otherwise, responsible offi cials of the entente powers indicated their decided opposition to such a plan, It was generally believed here that the unanimous expression of disapprov al inspired the German government to promulgate the new order which now is in force for attacks without warning by submarine commanders on any armed belligerent merchantman. While Secretary Lansing said he had not had any opportunity as yet to con sider the formal replies, it is known that, though based on different lines of reasoning, each of the enetente powers has with polite expressions of regret declined to accept the proposal. The nature of their objections was in dicated in the unofficial statements of various officials when the American memorandum was submitted, and it is understood that they have simply been elaborated in the communications be fore the State department. It was contended in the unofficial discussions that Germany's contempt for treaties and other formal stipula tions as evinced by her treatment of Belgium had made it unsafe to rely on any German pledge. The fundamental object urged, however, was that there should be no change in the principles of international law during the prog ress of hostilities such as would be in volved in the acceptance of the modus vivendi at this' time. Three Americans Killed on Border. Douglas, Ariz. Three Americans, two women and one man, were killed near Gibson's line ranch on the New Mexico-Mexico boundary, eight miles west of Columbus, N. M., between 4 and 5 o'clock Wednesday, presumably by Mexicans, according to the story brought here by a party of five Doug las people, who Baid they arrived on the scene shortly after the bodies had been removed by soldiers. A command of United States sol diers stationed at the Gibson ranch was said to have crossed the line in pursuit of the slayers. The automobilists were on a pleas ure trip. Near the ranch they were stopped by a Twelfth Cavalry man, who advised them to go to the ranch house immediately so that the detach ment there could afford them protec tion. They were guarded at the house all night by seven troopers who had arrived there from Hachita, N. M., in response to the alarm given when the three bodies had been found. The five civilians passed a sleepless night, sit ting in the car, while the soldiers crouched around them in the pouring rain on guard. Peals of thunder and intermittent flashes of lightning in creased the apprehension of the wom en. The soldiers told them that the bod ies of the two women and a man had been found in an automobile near the ranch, but they did not know what dis position had been made of them. Af ter daylight they were allowed to pro ceed toward Hachita. They did not stop there, they said, to make inquiry about the affair. German Loan Is Success. Berlin (Via wireless to Sayville) Dr. Karl Helfferich, secretary of the im perial treasury, told the reichstag Sat urday that the fourth German war loan had been a brilliant success, the sub scriptions having reached more than 10,000,000,000 marks, not including subscriptions abroad and at the front. It was pointed out that the German war loans have now reached a total of 36,000,000,000 marks, while the Brit ish loans have only totaled 19,000,000, 000 marks, and those of France 11,- 944,000,000 marks. Army Short of Airmen. San Diego, Cal. There are no qual ified military aviators available here for duty with the expeditionary forces m Mexico, according to Captain Cowan, commandant at the North Island train ing institution, commenting on the re quest of General Pershing for eight fliers. "We have not got them to send," said Captain Cowan. "There are four student aviators at North Island who are ready to take their junior military aviators' tests, but thus far none of them have had exper ience in cross-country flights." Steamer Englishman Sunk. London The steamer Englishman, of the Dominion line, has been sunk, according to Lloyd's. It is said that thus far 63 survivors have been ac counted for. The last record of the steamer Englishman shows that she sailed from Portland, Me., February 17, for St Nazaire and Avonmouth. The Englishman was a vessel of 5257 tons and was owned by the Mississippi & Dominion Steamship company, of Liverpool. She was built in 1S92. GENERAL fUNSTON ASKS WAR DE PARTMENT fOR "ADEQUA1E fORCE" San Antonio, Tex. General Fred erick Funston asked the War depart- mnet Tuesday for more troops to send into Mexico, after long consideration of the advisability of continuing the operations against Francisco Villa with his forces now commanded Dy General Pershing. General Pershing suggested that another regiment be sent to him, and General Funston asked the department for what he characterized as an "adequate force." It was announced at General Fun ston's headquarters that the Fifth Cavalry, of which one squadron is at Fort Myer, Va. ; another at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the third at Fort Sheridan, 111., would be brought to the border at once, and sent forward along General Pershing's line of com munication to Casas Grandes. The only reason given for strength ening General PerBhing's forces, known by the public generally to be considerably more than 4000, was that COL H. J. SL0CUM In command of the Thirteenth cavalry at Columbus, N. M., who sent the first soldiers across the border in pursuit of Villa and his bandits. his field of operations had become so extended that his main line of commu nication and the subsidiary lines were much weaker than they should be. Protocol Is Accepted. Washington, D. C President Wil son and his cabinet Tuesday decided to accept a proposal for a protocol be tween the United States and the de facto government of Mexico for co operation in the pursuit of General Villa and hisoutlaws. Mexico City Although the terms of the new arrangement which, on the direct instructions of General Carran- za, is being sought with the United States have not been made public here, it is understood that many of the pro visions entered into between the two countries in 1882 regarding the pursuit of outlaw Indian bands are included in the proposed protocol. The United States is asked to agree not to occupy any town, village or camp, and not to penetrate Mexican territory farther than may be necessary for actual pur suit of Villa. Furthermore, a pledge is requested of immediate retirement of foreigners as soon as the expedition is an admitted success or failure. Senate Passes $11,000,000 ' Armor Plate Factory Bill Washington, D. C The Tillman bill to provide for the erection of an armor-plate factory by the government at a cost not to exceed $11,000,000 waB passed by the senate late Tuesday by a vote of 58 to 23. Democratic senators supported the bill solidly, regarding it as one of the important measures include the Na tional preparedness program. Nine progressive Republicans joined with the majority in voting for the bill. Passage of the measure in the house is regarded as assured. Administra tion leaders are planning to bring it up soon after passage of the army reorg anization and immigration bills. The bill, which has the approval of the administration and Secretary Dan iel's, was bitterly opposed by several Republican senators. Black Cat in Four Wrecks. North Yakima, Wash. One closed Northern Pacific freight car, in which a black cat was locked" at Auburn, was responsible a few days ago for four accidents. The train had two derail ments on the west side of the moun tains, the same car figuring in both. The ill-omened car jumped the rails in the Roza canyon and spilled a shipment of flour and automobiles. After passing this city it caused another wreck in the lower valley. When the car was opened at Pasco the cat disappeared, and no more trouble was encountreed. Potash Plant in Favor. Washington, D. C The senate com mittee on agriculture Tuesday virtual ly agreed to report a bill appropriating $150,000 for the establishment of a government plant on the Pacific Coast to experiment with processes for ex tracting potash from kelp. By means of this plant department representatives told the committee, they believed they could develop commercial process for the manufac ture of potash fertilizer. Ground kelp, they said, is worth now $40 a ton. Million Dollar Oil Fire Rages. Tulsa, Okla. Damage estimated at not less than $1,000,000 was done in the oil fields near Drumwright Tues day night when a fire starting in pile of refuse spread to the wells. At midnight 12 wells were burning, 24 derricks had been destroyed and many thousand barrels of oil in tanks con sumed Dy tne names, without means of checking the fire, oilmen feared that the loss would extend into many millions of dollars. NEWS ITEMS Of General Interest About Oregon Farmers' Week Is Plan at June 21 to 24 McMinnville. A West Side Farm ers' week and picnic is to be held In McMinnville June 21 to 24, under the auspices of the McMinnville Grange. Other granges and farmers' unions as well as all other farmers' organiza tions are invited to participate. Speakers of national standing as well as leading educators of the north west will be invited. The agricultural college will be asked to hold a farm ers' institute in connection with the week's program. The committee has been assured of the assistance of County Agriculturist M. S. Shrock, whose work ia along similar lines. Following are some of the speakers who will be invited: Secretary of Ag riculture David F. Houston, Governor Withycombe, President W. J. Kerr and R. D. Hetzel, of the agricultural col lege; President P. L. Campbell, of the University of Oregon; J. Frederick Thome, of the same institution; Dr. C. H. Chapman, of Portland'; J. A. Churchill, superintendent of public in struction; L. R. Alderman, superin tendent of Portland schools; "Farmer" Smith, of the O.-W. R. & N. Co.; Dr. Hector McPherson, of the bureau of markets and rural organizations of the Oregon agricultural college. It is the intention of the committee to ask the candidates for president on the republican, democratic and prohi bition parties to participate in the program. Opposes Inviting Laborers to Oregon University, of Oregon, Eugene Let ters that invite laboring men to come and settle in Oregon should not be sent by Oregonians to Eastern friends or Eastern newspapers. This admonition was given by O. P. Hoff, state labor commissioner, to students in the Uni versity school of commerce. "Oregon offers less opportunity for the laboring man than any state in the Union. A city the size of Portand has five times as hard work taking care of a surplus of 10,000 men as a city of the same size in Massachusetts has, because Portland does not have the great man ufacturing establishments of the East," Baid Mr. Hoff. The state labor commissioner thinks that as a partial remedy for winter un employment the state should arrange to get needy men onto small tracts of stump land. "No man can make a profitable investment by buying such land and putting all his time on it," said Mr. Hoff, "but by using his idle time any man could build up a good home in a few years." Mr. Hoff said compulsory safeguards would put an end to 50 per cent of all accidents in industrial plants in Ore gon. Electric Line Proposed. Pendleton, An electric road from Pendleton to Walla Walla and from Cold Springs Landing through Pendle ton to Bingham Springs is an under taking projected by an association of capitalists represented by C. W. Lef ler, formerly a farmer in the Cold' Springs country. It is understood E. W. McComas, of Pendleton, is connect ed with the undetaking. Mr. Lerler said there was plenty of money back of the venture. The plan Is to lay the rails on concrete ties to reduce the cost of maintenance. The route has been selected with an Idea of tapping much of the freight producing area of the country, as well as the area of passenger traffic. The line from here to Cold Springs Land ing would be a feeder to the open river. Mining Property Bought. Baker. One of the inost important mining deals in the Sumpter district in many years has been consummated in the purchase of the Bald Mountain property by the Ibex Mining company. The Ibex mine has been idle several years because it was deemed unwise to run It until the Bald Mountain mine could be secured, and the acquisition of the latter will insure the operation of both properties within a short time. A tunnel between the two has al ready been started, and with the use of a gravity system both mines can be operated in an economical manner. Re ports say that the mine's equipment will be greatly augmented, and that both will be operated extensively this season. The price paid for the Bald Mountain mine has been kept secret. Sack Offer Guaranteed. Pendleton. The first guaranteed sack delivery offer of the season was made this week to the Inland Empire grain-growers at their meeting in Pen dleton by the Balfour-Guthrie com pany at 14 cents. Heretofore war clauses have been attached. Although no action was taken, it is probable the cotton sack investigated by H. W. Col lins will receive a tryout in Umatilla county. The sentiment seems to be that a carload of 60,000 cotton sacks be purchased at 11 and 12 cents each. Wesley Harrah, John Mumm, Henry Hudeman and other farmers are build ing portable elevators to take care of the 1916 crop. The grain can be taken by the elevator from the field to the cars for loading. $50,000 Hotel Deal Made. Dallas. One of the most important deals in this city for the past several years was consummated on Saturday when, for a consideration approaching $50,000, Lew A. Catea, publisher of the Polk County Observer, and K. N. Wood, until recently one of the own ers of the Dallas steam laundry, took over the Hotel Gall property, one of the leading hostelries of the Willam ette valley, purchasing the furniture and fixtures and taking a lease upon the building for a term of 10 years. The new owners take charge at once. Marahfield to Clean Up. Marshfield. Anticipating the big railroad celebration to be given on Coos Bay at the completion of the WUlamette-Pacifio railroad, now set for the last of July or the first of August, the city of Marshfield la urg ing citizens to clean up and make their premises presentable. J. Albert Matson, chairman of the civic committee of the chamber of commerce, is leading the crusade against debris-strewn dooryards, al leys and vacant lots. He baa enlisted the city council's aid.